Is the real menace the monkeys in human suits lurking among us?

Monkeys don’t read this column. Which is a pity because all we get is one side of the story when it comes to human- monkey relations. We know that monkeys are a menace in many urban spaces across India. Somehow, if these spaces happen to include Lutyens’ Delhi, it is made to sound like a science fictional nightmare where monkeys will enslave humanity one day. But there has been a breakthrough. The New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) may not be the hotbed of behavioural research, but by hiring some 40 “trained” youngsters and making them wear costumes that make them look distinctly like langurs, the perceived monkey menace in the national capital may finally be tackled.

Confusing the enemy by disguising as one of their archenemies is the oldest trick in the book. Therein lies the origin of monkeying around. But it is empathy that might bring permanent peace between humans and monkeys. Since empathy is about being inside the other person’s shoes, going one step further and donning a monkey suit instead of a langur one could do wonders. Today, the job of these NDMC faux langurs is to shoo the real ones away from human habitations. But maybe in due time, monkeys may decide to get up and leave when they come face to face with the most dangerous of species: monkeys in human costumes.